Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 3

Written Answers. - Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

20 Ms O'Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, the Government has taken or proposes to take in relation to putting pressure on the UN to assist with financial resources and human rights monitoring operations in relation to the Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq: and if he will make a statement on the matter. [88236/95]

Mary Coughlan

Question:

54 Miss Coughlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the role, if any, Ireland has played in pressurising the United Nations to help the plight of the Marsh Arabs in Southern Iran to ensure that the necessary human and financial resources are made available to these people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9261/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 54 together.

The clear evidence of a continuing repressive campaign by the Iraqi Government against the Marsh Arab people is a matter of grave concern.

Iraq's treatment of the Marsh Arabs violates Security Council Resolution 688 of 5 April 1991 which called for an end to the repression of the Iraqi civilian population. This resolution also insists that Iraq should co-operate with humanitarian organisations to ensure that the human and political rights of all Iraqi citizens are respected.

The situation of the Marsh Arabs was addressed in the report on the situation of human rights in Iraq presented in February last to the UN Commission on Human Rights by its Special Rapporteur, Mr. Max van der Stoel. The Special Rapporteur reports continuing destruction of the southern Marsh area of Iraq which has resulted in the destruction of economic resources including arable land through flooding by the Iraqi authorities and also the destruction of the habitat and traditional lifestyle of the Marsh Arab people. The Special Rapporteur concludes that there is indisputable evidence of widespread destruction and human suffering which have resulted in massive displacement and the loss of a way of life for the Marsh Arab people.

The Government support the Special Rapporteur's call for an immediate halting and reversal of the draining of the marshes by the Iraqi Government and the cessation of its military activities against the civilian population of the area.

To this end, Ireland again co-sponsored a Resolution on the human rights situation in Iraq which was adopted at the recent session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. This Resolution,inter alia, addressed the situation of the Marsh Arabs and urged the Government of Iraq to implement in particular the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur which refer to the Marsh Arabs.

As regards the provision of UN financial resources, the UN has operated a humanitarian assistance programme in Iraq since 1992 which concentrates on vulnerable groups in that country. Ireland recently decided to provide a grant of £100,000 for UNICEF programmes in Iraq in response to a consolidated UN inter-agency appeal for humanitarian assistance launched on 21 March. However, I understand that the difficulty of access to the Marsh Arab areas has hampered the UN aid effort in Southern Iraq.

In addition to UN humanitarian operations in Iraq the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees since 1994 has provided food and shelter for Marsh Arabs who have crossed into Iran.